The next morning, dawn broke over Konoha, but deep beneath the surface of the village, within a vast, dark chamber sealed by layers of chakra barriers—something ancient stirred. A low growl echoed through the space, rumbling like thunder trapped in the earth. Behind a massive iron gate, two crimson eyes flickered open. The Nine-Tails.
The beast's fur bristled as it sensed a disturbance—a familiar, yet unsettling fluctuation in the boy's chakra. ". .. That brat again, " the fox growled, its deep voice reverberating through the sealed chamber. "The human's chakra is… changing. "
It closed its eyes briefly, focusing on the faint trace of energy linked to its host. Within Naruto, the chakra was swirling differently than before—no longer simple elemental flow, but a complex spiral of wind and lightning fused together, producing a resonance that even the Nine-Tails could feel.
A rumbling laugh escaped the beast's throat. "Heh… interesting. He's starting to touch forces that even shinobi don't dare approach. "
It leaned forward, fangs glinting behind the bars. "If this continues… maybe this vessel of mine won't be so useless after all. "
Meanwhile, in the waking world, Naruto was sitting cross-legged on his bed, his eyes closed, body perfectly still. But inside his consciousness, he suddenly felt himself standing in water—a dark, endless corridor stretching into shadow. The faint echo of dripping water reached his ears.
He knew this place instantly. "The seal space, " he murmured. And at the end of the corridor, those enormous red eyes glowed in the darkness.
The Nine-Tails' voice boomed through the hall. "So, the little human finally decided to visit. "
Naruto crossed his arms calmly. "I didn't come here on purpose. "
The fox chuckled lowly, a sound like distant thunder. "No matter. You're finally growing strong enough for me to feel you. That's reason enough to talk. "
Naruto's expression didn't change. He looked up at the giant creature beyond the bars. "So, what do you want? Or are you just bored? "
The beast's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. "I can feel the storm inside you… Wind and Lightning fused together. You've awakened the first step toward Storm Release. "
Naruto blinked. "You know about it? "
The fox smirked. "I've been alive since before your kind learned to walk upright, boy. I've seen countless shinobi chase after the fusion of elements. Few succeed. And those who do…"
Its grin widened, exposing sharp fangs. ". .. burn themselves to ashes. "
Naruto didn't flinch. He met the beast's gaze evenly. "Then I'll just make sure I'm not one of them. "
For a moment, silence filled the space. Then the Nine-Tails snorted, a sound halfway between amusement and disdain. "You've got guts, brat. I'll give you that. "
Its tails swayed lazily behind it, their movements generating ripples in the chakra water below. "But don't get ahead of yourself. You may think you're in control, but power like that has a price. Keep pushing your limits without understanding the cost, and your body will shatter long before your dreams do. "
Naruto smiled faintly. "Good thing I learn fast. "
The fox's eyes flickered, a faint spark of curiosity breaking through its usual malice. ". .. Heh. You remind me of someone, " it said softly. "That same arrogance, that same light…"
Naruto tilted his head. "You mean my father? "
The fox let out a low growl, half amusement, half irritation. "So you know. "
"Of course I do, " Naruto said evenly. "I'm not as clueless as you think. "
The beast chuckled again. "You're full of surprises, boy. " Its gaze hardened slightly. "If you truly are Minato's son… then prove you're stronger than him. "
The air seemed to vibrate with the weight of those words. Naruto looked up at the massive form before him and said simply: "I will. "
The fox's grin widened. "Good. Then I'll be watching. "
With a deep rumble, the seal space began to fade. The water around Naruto rippled, and his consciousness returned to the real world.
He opened his eyes slowly. The morning sun poured through the window, casting golden light across his face. For a moment, he sat there silently, feeling the lingering resonance of that presence inside him.
Then, softly, he murmured: "So even the Nine-Tails noticed…"
He raised his right hand, and a faint swirl of wind and lightning formed between his fingers. It pulsed rhythmically, like a living heartbeat.
He smiled faintly. "Storm Release, huh? "
Later that day, Naruto headed back to Training Ground No. 66. He wanted to push the fusion further—not just a single attack, but complete integration with his body.
He stood at the center of the clearing, drew a deep breath, and let his chakra flow. Wind and Lightning answered his call instantly, spiraling up around him in a vortex of blue and white energy. The air roared, dust swirling, the ground cracking beneath his feet.
He focused, guiding the fusion inward—into his arms, his legs, his blood. For a moment, his entire body glowed with faint, storm-like energy.
Then the voice in his mind spoke again: "You are evolving elemental fusion! " "You have comprehended True Storm Release — Embryonic Form! " "Your body can now temporarily withstand the merged power of Wind and Lightning. Physical and reaction speed increased by 600%. "
Naruto's eyes snapped open. Blue lightning arced through his hair, and every breath he took stirred the air like a gust of wind.
He clenched his fist—and the space around his hand distorted slightly from sheer pressure. "…This power, " he whispered. "It's alive. "
He moved. In that instant, the boy vanished from sight—reappearing thirty meters away in the blink of an eye. The trees behind him split cleanly in half, their trunks sliced as if by invisible blades of light.
He exhaled slowly, the storm fading around him. A calm smile crossed his face. "Storm Release: Embryonic Form, complete. "
But far above, hidden in the clouds, a certain chakra signature pulsed faintly—the Nine-Tails watching silently through the link that bound them. The great beast's grin was faint but dangerous.
"So you really did it, brat… you created your own path. "
Its tails coiled lazily, and its eyes gleamed with strange amusement. "Keep growing, Uzumaki Naruto. The stronger you become… the more interesting our little world will get. "
Back in the clearing, Naruto looked up at the sky, feeling the charged air around him. He could sense the beast's faint attention through the seal—a distant presence, neither friend nor foe.
He smirked. "Guess even the fox is starting to pay attention. "
Lightning flickered once more around his arm as he whispered: "Let's see how far this storm can go. "
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